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IRAN: 20% Increase on Uranium Stockpile, 15% on Rhetoric

09-Feb-10

“Today Palestine is the symbol of life, determination, faithfulness, diligence, and dignity,”

Iran’s Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei told Ramadan Abdullah, the secretary general of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement.

“Israel is going downhill toward decline and fall and God willing its obliteration is certain.”

In these sentiments, Khameini joined a long list of top Iranian officials, not the least of which is President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who has said on several occasions that Israel should be destroyed.

Last year Ahmadinejad said that Israel was “dying” and that people in the Middle East would destroy it if given the chance. He also stressed that opposition to Israel is a fundamental principle in Shi’ite Muslim Iran:

“They should know that regional nations hate this fake and criminal regime and if the smallest and briefest chance is given to regional nations they will destroy [it].”

In 2005 Ahmadinejad said that

“Israel should be wiped off the map”

.
Then he made his U.S. tour to spread the gospel of Holocaust denial on prime-time U.S. television, the United Nations and at Columbia University in uptown Manhattan.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad ordered Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization to begin enriching the nation’s uranium stockpile to a level of 20%, up from 3.5% and to build an additional 10 uranium enrichment facilities.

The move is a rejection of a Western diplomatic deal whereby Iran’s uranium would be enriched abroad to ensure it did not reach weapons grade.

In addition Iran is nearly prepared to repel an Israeli air raid thanks to an expected delivery of advanced Russian-made anti-aircraft missile batteries. Iranian and Russian officials last Thursday confirmed that Moscow, despite Israeli objections, will honor its contract to deliver the S-300 missile systems to the Islamic Republic very soon.

Well, needless to say, Bibi will be travelling to Moscow next Sunday for three days, this time actually announcing the trip, to beg the Russians to think twice.

German Defense Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg responded to Ahmadinejad’s comments, saying:

“Today’s statement shows that farce is being played out just like we have seen in the past, that the outstretched hand of the international community has not only not been taken but pushed back.”

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Can You Hear Me Now?

08-Feb-10

You might have heard this story. When Barack Obama became the president of the United States of America, he was told that he could no longer use his personal BlackBerry to receive e-mails, for the reason that it is not secure. Shortly after he took office, however, press reports emerged that one of America’s government agencies had succeeded in creating an encrypted BlackBerry, which had been specially designed for President Obama.

The IDF is considering doing the same and in the coming year plans to choose a new phone model to be used by commanders for the “Mountain Rose” encrypted military cellular network.

Mountain Rose is a completely secure network that enables IDF commanders to communicate with one another via cellular phones that can also be operated from behind enemy lines, as they were during Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip in 2009 and the Second Lebanon War in 2006.

In comparison to cellular phones used by the public, the model used by the IDF – designed by Motorola according to military specifications – is too bulky and large.
Following Cast Lead, OC C4I (command, control, communications, computers and intelligence) Directorate Major General Ami Shafran ordered his staff to propose a new device that could replace the phones currently used for the Mountain Rose network.

Under consideration is the BlackBerry as well as Apple’s I-Phone. The IDF is also planning to expand the bandwidth of the network to enable the new devices to receive live video footage from unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as to hold video-conference calls.

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Don’t Mess with Lieberman

08-Feb-10

When a “hot-tempered” Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman threatened Syria he was not necessarily expressing the sentiments of every representative of the Jewish country.

Last Thursday Lieberman warned Syrian President Bashar Assad, that in the event of a war with Israel,

“not only will you lose the war, you and your family will no longer be in power.”

During a business conference at Bar Ilan University, Lieberman said,

“Whoever thinks (Israeli) territorial concessions will separate Syria from the axis of evil is mistaken. Syria must be made to understand that it has to relinquish its demand (that Israel cede) the Golan Heights.”

His chutzpa is to be admired, but he was undermined by his colleagues:

“The foreign minister is busy with internal politics rather than diplomacy,”

Minorities Minister Avishay Braverman (Labor Party) said to a cultural forum in Ramat Hasharon on Saturday:

“Given Israel’s sensitive position in the international community, we are in need of diplomacy and a responsible and prudent foreign policy, not a policy that is driven by domestic political considerations.”

It is not that Lieberman’s sentiments were disagreeable, but it took Prime Minister Netanyahu to clear things up:

“Israel aspires to peace accords with all of its neighbors. We have done it with Egypt and Jordan and we can do it with Syria and the Palestinians…There are conditions for this. Negotiations must take place without preconditions that mean huge concessions on Israel’s part ahead of time. Also, the accord must finally be accompanied by security agreements in order to last for generations.”

Netanyahu also presented to his cabinet his plan to limit dependence on oil:

“Certain countries which control oil support terror…This is a global problem that requires international effort. I spoke of this with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, the Polish prime minister, and others, and they have expressed interest in this issue…This is an effort that will not bear fruit within the next two or three years, but within a decade we may reach a solution, for example on the issue of dependence on oil for transportation.”

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Oh Aafia!

06-Feb-10

Aafia Siddiqui is a 37-year-old Pakistani scientist who trained in the US at Brandeis and at MIT. She was convicted on Wednesday of charges that she tried to kill Americans while being detained in Afghanistan in 2008. The jury was deliberated three days in a Manhattan federal court, before the gavel sounded its final slam.

As the jurors left the courtroom she raised her arms and shouted,

“This is a verdict coming from Israel, not America.”

She then turned toward the spectators and said,

“Your anger should be directed where it belongs. I can testify to this and I have proof.”

Siddiqui was convicted of two counts of attempted murder, even though the crime was not found to be premeditated. She was also convicted of armed assault, using and carrying a firearm, and assault of US officers and employees.

Before the arrest, US authorities had called Siddiqui an al-Qaeda sympathizer. She was never charged with terrorism, but prosecutors called her a grave threat that carried bomb-making instructions and a list of New York City landmarks including the Statue of Liberty at the time of her capture.

Attorney Christopher La Vigne said in his closing arguments that she

“is no shrinking violet…She does what she wants when she wants it…These charges are no joke. People almost died.”

Siddiqui testified in her own defense. She had been tortured and held in a “secret prison” before her detention. Charges that she had attacked US personnel who wanted to interrogate her were “crazy,” according to her. “It’s just ridiculous.”

In the courtroom, Siddiqui veiled her head and face with a white scarf and often sat slumped in her chair. She openly sparred with the judge and her own lawyers, insisted she could single-handedly bring peace to the Middle East and lashed out at witnesses in tirades, getting her kicked out of the courtroom on repeated occasions.

“I was never planning a bombing! You’re lying!”

she yelled while an Army captain testified.

In her closing argument, defense attorney Linda Moreno accused the prosecutors of trying to play on the jury’s fears:

“They want to scare you into convicting Aafia Siddiqui…The defense trusts that you’re much smarter than that.”

During the two-week trial, US soldiers and FBI agents testified that when they went to interrogate Siddiqui at an Afghan police station, she snatched up an unattended assault rifle and shot at them while yelling,

“Death to Americans.”

She was wounded by return fire but recovered and was brought to the United States to face charges of attempted murder, assault and gun charges.

One chief warrant officer, who testified in uniform but did not give his name, told jurors that he had set down his M4 rifle after being told Siddiqui had been restrained. He testified that he was shocked when she suddenly appeared from behind a curtain wielding his M4 rifle and yelling,

“Allah akbar.”

“It was pretty amazing she got that thing up and squared off,”

he said.

“She was looking at me and aiming dead at me.”

Hearing the rifle go off, the officer pulled out his pistol. Siddiqui was wrestling with an interpreter when he shot her in the stomach.

“I operated within the rules of engagement to eliminate the threat,”

the unnamed officer said.

I wonder what she meant when she said that the verdict came from Israel…hmm

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Israel Has a Friend In Italy

04-Feb-10

The Italian Prime-Minister Silvio Berlusconi came to Jerusalem on Monday to meet with our fearless Prime-Minister, Mr. Binyamin Netanyahu. The visit was amiable and showed promise for Israel’s future as a welcome country in European eyes.


Bibi, in his Knesset remarks, said that

“Israel knows it has a great friend in Europe in Berlusconi.”

He also stated that

“this meeting will give momentum to relations between our two countries.”

“We appreciate you. We embrace you. We love you.”

said Netanyahu.
Silvio Berlusconi said he dreams of one day seeing Israel join the European Union as a full-fledged and influential member state.

“As long as I am one of the shapers of politics, my greatest dream is to include Israel among the European Union countries,”

said Berlusconi shortly after arriving together with top Italian ministers in a joint cabinet meeting with their Israeli counterparts.

Berlusconi informed that he only holds joint cabinet meetings with the most important European nations. He said his visit demonstrates that he views Israel as part of Europe.

Israel’s Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu welcomed the Italian delegation warmly, and announced that the Jewish country is lucky to have a friend like Berlusconi in a region traditionally unfriendly to the Jewish people and to Israel.

The visit kicked off with a gala dinner at the King David Hotel then the following morning Berlusconi held working meetings with Lieberman and Netanyahu, where Lieberman hoped to enlist Berlusconi’s help in applying stronger European pressure on Iran to halt its nuclear program.

He also met with opposition chairwoman Tzipi Livni, before visiting the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem; about which he said the remembrance of what had happened in his and other European countries made him feel

“like someone punched me in the gut.”

A further joint cabinet session happened at the Prime Minister’s Office, where the premiers and ministers reviewed bilateral agreements and decided on areas of cooperation in the coming year, with an aim of deepening relations between Italy and Israel. A press conference was held afterward.

On Wednesday morning Berlusconi addressed the Knesset in a special session, and then opened an exhibition of seven original sketches from Leonardo da Vinci’s Codex Atlanticus. The Italian premier will end his visit in the Holy Land with a lunch with President Shimon Peres at the President’s Residence. From there he will go to Bethlehem for a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Berlusconi will be leaving Israel on Wednesday evening.

Silvio Berlusconi is among Italy’s richest men, estimated to be worth $6.5 billion.
He won his third term as prime minister in 2008, two years after his center-right coalition was voted out.
Mr. Berlusconi, 72, owns a business empire that spans media, advertising, insurance, food and construction.
He is also the owner of Italy’s most successful football club, AC Milan, admits he has had cosmetic surgery, has fought off repeated corruption allegations, and has been dogged by a sex scandal.

Israel is lucky to have such a good friend in him.

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Santana’s Not Coming: Fans Are Singing the Blues

03-Feb-10

Last week there was a rumor surrounding the upcoming performance of Latin-American rock guitar god, Carlos Santana. The show at Bloomfield Stadium in Jaffa was postponed, but as to a new date and a reason why, fans were left tripped out.

Santana was being brought by producer, Shuki Weiss. A few thousand tickets had already been sold to the show. The Israeli production company was even considering adding another show.

Much to our dismay, it became clear today that the show has been cancelled.

“Our clarifications revealed that he received messages from anti-Israel figures who pressured him to cancel the performance. Of course, no one there claimed that any connection between these pressures and the show’s cancellation, but we are certain there is a very close connection,”

said a production company representative.

Pressures placed on artists from abroad performing in Israel by anti-Israeli groups and individuals is not a new phenomenon. Paul McCartney, leading up to his concert in September 2008, was given the shpeel as was Leonard Cohen before his show at Bar Ilan University this past summer. Both of these artists however decided to perform in Israel.

Israel’s music industry is praying that Santana’s cancellation does not create a chain reaction. Elton John, Rod Stewart, Rihanna, and The Pixies are all slated to perform in Israel over the summer.
Producer Shuki Weiss gave this response:

“We have been aware for a few days of the difficulties that arose in everything surrounding the production of Santana’s concert in Israel. We apologize to the thousands of ticket holders and hope that they will continue to attend and enjoy the other cultural shows slated to arrive in Israel throughout 2010.”

Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Santana Management Michael Vrionis said in an official statement:

“We are sorry that our schedule has forced the postponement of certain dates previously scheduled.”

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Over-Exaggeration at the Station

02-Feb-10

Former Senior officials of the IDF stress that despite the gravity of incidents of abuse against Palestinians, they are few and far between. This claim came as a defense after a report of female soldiers’ testimonies of abuse of Palestinians. Former IDF chief of Staff Amnon Lipkin-Shahak said, “Cases in which IDF soldiers abuse civilian population do exist but they are rare, and cannot be called a phenomenon.”

Former Central Command chief Yair Nave says that indeed the incidents described by the female soldiers do in fact occur. According to Nave, the reality of a soldier facing a civilian is a “forceful” one and that the army would find itself in a problem if it does not put an emphasis on the disciplinary and normative aspects.
Nave said this:

“Power blinds the eyes of the righteous and puts man in an inhumane sphere, it exists in every society…We were blessed with good soldiers and a moral code, it’s not our point of view, but there are unusual cases and they must be handled immediately, and not a year or two after the event.”

Nave stands in criticism of the Breaking the Silence organization and claims that the incidents brought to light, by it are exceptions, if not fabricated altogether. Still, he stressed that during his term as central command chief, complaints were inquired about as fast as they were submitted. He is fully confident that the IDF operates according to the highest of standards.

“One cannot say this will always be the way, and that it’s human nature. The phenomenon must be eradicated.”

Nave says that the IDF is employing various measures, such as assigning the best combat units to the field, stationing an officer or senior commander in the checkpoints on a regular basis, providing soldiers and Palestinians with various complaint mechanisms and employing the services of the women of Machsom Watch.

“The soldiers must face the commanders, there are ways of reporting and one can do it anonymously too. In the IDF, once you investigate there is no bond of silence.”

Former Chief Education Officer Ilan Harari also believes that the problem cannot be fully eradicated:

“We have a fair and moral army, and the IDF handles and educates on any issue but one must bear in mind that nothing can be fully prevented just as traffic accidents cannot be prevented.”

Harari believes the way to deal with the problem is through education and enforcing discipline. In this school of thought, the root of the problem does not lie with the army. It is important to know that such irregular manifestations exist in every sector of society. Lipkin-Shahak said:

“Look at Israeli society; kids attacking and stabbing each other. I don’t know whether it reflects on the army, but there’s irregular behavior everywhere. Only clear statements and strict enforcement will send the right message.”

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Shot in the Dark

01-Feb-10

Hamas Deputy Political Bureau Chief Moussa Abu Marzouk is accusing the Mossad of the January 20 assassination of Hamas founder and military commander Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in Dubai.

The Hamas statement released from Damascus on Friday failed to mention how the assassination was actually carried out. Mahmoud al-Mabhouh was responsible for the kidnappings of IDF solders Ilan Sa’adon and Avi Sasportas more than twenty years ago.

The arch-terrorist’s body arrived in Damascus Thursday night after he was found dead on January 20 in Dubai, where he was serving as a representative of the Hamas military wing abroad. Al-Mabhouh had been expelled from Israel in 1989 for involvement in terrorist activities.

Hamas has announced that it has opened an investigation into the circumstances of his death and that the Islamic terrorist group is working closely with local authorities to catch who they believe to be an agent of the Israeli Mossad.

Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh told mourners in a eulogy in the northern Gaza region that the slain terrorist was the first to plan the act of abducting Israeli soldiers.

Both Avi Sasportas and Ilan Sa’adon were kidnapped and killed during the year 1989 by Hamas fighters loyal to al-Mabhouh. Sasportas was kidnapped at the Hedaya junction while on his way home to Ashdod. He was shot in the head and then buried on the side of the road. Three months later, Sa’adon was captured at a junction near Kiryat Malachi. The day after searches began for Sa’adon, the body of Sasportas was discovered. Sa’adon’s body was found seven years later buried eight meters deep under a paved road south of Rishon L’Tzion.

Hamas insists that the Mossad is responsible, and headlines declare Israel’s hand in the assassination. Hamas vows revenge but

Israel has not yet commented.

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Wishing On a Satellite

30-Jan-10

Israel will be investing hundreds of millions in the development of small satellites that can be launched from an airplane, enabling the Israel Air Force and Intelligence Corps the ability to gather information on specific targets on short notice.
Senior sources in the air force said that they have been working for a year or more on pinning down the technical concept of micro-satellites and the missions they could carry out.

Currently, Israel is operating three intelligence satellites – Ofek 5, Ofek 7 and SAR-1. The state also purchases satellite footage from local and foreign companies.

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems wishes to supply this new demand. Rafael is trying to develop micro-satellites weighing less than 120 kilograms – that is many times smaller than ordinary satellites developed by Israel Aerospace Industries.

These new satellites will also be able to fly considerably lower than their predecessors, the company said.

Traditional satellites usually fly in altitudes of 600 to 700 kilometers above the earth, since lower altitudes would necessitate more engine use. The low weight of the micro-satellites will enable them to fly at as low as 300 kilometers, which will allow for lighter and less powerful surveillance gear.

The main cost reduction will come at the launching stage, however, since it would not necessitate buying or building expensive rockets.

Menachem Kadron, chief of Rafael’s space department, says that he believes that with sufficient sponsorship, the micro-satellites will be operable within five years.

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How the Settlement Freeze Managed to Undermine Palestinian Interests

28-Jan-10

When Binyamin Netanyahu declared the 10-month freeze on building settlements in the West Bank, he was following Barack Obama’s direction aiming at benefiting the Palestinian cause. However, at the Jalazon Refugee Camp, no one is thanking the Israeli Prime Minister or the American President. They just want their work back.

Before the freeze, roughly half of Jalazon’s able-bodied men were employed in construction in nearby Jewish settlements. Along with the freeze, so went the work.

The long-term result wished for the freeze was the hurrying along of the peace process; but the short-term is costing thousands of Palestinians in the West Bank their livelihood. Their voice ironically is being drowned out by what they see as a pointless exercise.

Father of seven, lucky to find work one day a month, Walid Mustafa said:

“Work in the settlements has decreased dramatically in the last few months – it’s nothing like it was before. But our lives haven’t changed for the better and the leaders aren’t any closer to peace, so what’s the point?”

He continued:

“The settlement freeze is temporary anyway. The Israeli government is made up of settlers, and they will build again soon enough.”

Mustafa estimated that about 80% of camp residents who work in construction are now unemployed, and those still working are taking jobs for NIS 50 a day ($13) rather than the NIS 150 ($40) they made before Israel put a freeze on construction.

Hardly anybody recognizes the fact that Palestinians who are skilled in masonry, construction, and other relevant trades have built the vast majority of homes in Israel’s controversial settlements.

Fawzi Aqrana, a Palestinian from Nablus said:

“While the politicians dawdle away the months, we have families to feed…Everyone at home in my village knows what I do, and I don’t think anyone judges it. We have to survive.”

Mahmoud Abbas originally rejected Netanyahu’s offer of a 10-month settlement freeze late last year, maintaining his position that the stop-work order should mean that ALL building comes to a halt, and that it must include east Jerusalem. Bibi exempted approximately 3,000 buildings – projects that had already begun.

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Rising Hatred

27-Jan-10

Sadly, anti-Semitism reared its ugly head in 2009 in formidable measures, especially in Western Europe. The record number of incidents was the largest since World War II. The first three months of the year saw more anti-Semitism than all of 2008.

The sharpest increase was in France, where 631 anti-Semitic incidents happened in the first half of 2009 (compared with 474 throughout 2008); Britain came in second with over 600 incidents, while the Netherlands recorded 100 anti-Semitic acts – the same number as the year before.

In addition to the increase in the number of cases, the severity of the attacks also escalated. Hundreds of incidents were considered extremely violent, and included eight murders:

Six slain during the terror attack in Mumbai, India.

Johanna Justin-Jinich, a Jewish student, murdered in Connecticut.

The security guard, Stephen T. Johns that was killed during the attack on the holocaust museum in Washington D.C.

This does not count Israeli casualties.

The “modern blood-libel” phenomenon was very much prevalent: one Swedish newspaper article accused Israel of organ trafficking. There have also been reports of Israeli organ trafficking in Haiti. Anti-Semitic TV shows have been broadcasted in several Muslim countries including Turkey.

Also seen was an increase in the number of anti-Semitic incidents that stem from domestic political conflicts ahead of elections, like those that occurred in Hungary and the Ukraine, with cooperation between radical left factions and Muslim communities.

The report done by Coordination Forum for Countering Anti-Semitism (CFCA) also noted that when governments actively battle Anti-Semitism, it results in cases such as those that were witnessed in the U.S., Ukraine and the Czech Republic.

One of the report’s main findings was that some 42% of Western European citizens, mainly from Poland and Spain, believe Jews exploit their past as victims in order to extort money.

The report was published in time for the International Day against Fascism and Anti-Semitism and the Anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz, which happened on January 27th.

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Once Upon a Time in Sheikh Jarrah

26-Jan-10

Either it’s all in their mind or police officers in the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah give a disproportionate dose of force to ultra-left protesters than those fighting for the Jewish claim to the neighborhood.
A few Jewish families moved into the Palestinian area recently, causing the eviction of a few permanent Palestinian residents.

Avner Inbar is a left-wing activist, he claims:

“The police are calling us outlaws and anarchists, despite the fact that the crowd here is mostly composed of professors from the Hebrew University and Jerusalemite teens who sing protest songs to the sound of drums.”

The peacenik continued:

“While the officers suppress our protests, sometimes violently, haredim and settlers riot unhindered in the neighborhood and attack Palestinian residents – sometimes to the point at which they require medical treatment.”

Complained Inbar:

“Jerusalem Police see themselves as the operating arm of the settlers in east Jerusalem, and this conduct harms the police’s credibility.”


Sarah Beninga another ultra-left activist was detained for more than 36 hours in a holding cell, she tells her story:

“I was standing next to an ultra-Orthodox family that had entered the neighborhood and the officers just jumped on me and took me to their car. I didn’t push anyone or do anything…I found myself undergoing a strip search and handing over all of my personal belongings,”

she said.

“The sheets in the holding cell were dirty, and when I asked for a blanket I got a wet one. I wasn’t treated like a human being, but like a criminal.”

She contrasted the treatment which she received to that received by the haredi Intel protestors:

“The haredim who protested at Intel torched garbage cans violently and without permits, but almost no one was arrested.”

This is what a police spokesperson had to say:

“In recent weeks leftists and anarchists have held illegal protests that disturbed the peace time and again. The protestors tried to break into Jewish homes, blocked roads, and attacked Jewish passersby and police officers…Officers arrested a few dozen protestors when they refused to respond to calls to disperse. They were brought before a court and released after indictments were filed against them. Law enforcement will continue without discrimination, and no violations will be allowed in Sheikh Jarrah or anywhere else.”

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The Phantom Strikes Again

24-Jan-10

Osama bin Laden is back in the news and on our minds – though from the latter he never REALLY departed. In a new audio message, he claims responsibility for the Christmas day airline attack.
The short recorded message was carried by the Al-Jazeera news channel. Bin Laden addressed U.S. president Barack Obama:

“The message delivered to you through the plane of the heroic warrior Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was a confirmation of the previous messages sent by the heroes of the September 11…America will never dream of security unless we will have it in reality in Palestine…God willing, our raids on you will continue as long as your support to the Israelis will continue.”

There was no way to confirm that the voice on the recording was actually that of bin Laden, but it resembled previous recordings claiming to be the voice of the terrorist mastermind.

The Nigerian national Abdulmutallab attempted to blow up a Northwest Airlines flight as it approached Detroit Metro Airport, on Christmas day. The attempt was botched when the bomb he was hiding in his underwear failed to detonate. Afterward, he told federal agents that he had been trained and instructed by al-Qaida operatives in Yemen.

Analysts believe that bin Laden is concerned about Obama’s growing popularity across the Middle East, so the al-Qaida leader is focusing on the close US-Israeli relationship. This is certainly not the first time that he has mentioned the Palestinians.

Foreign Ministry spokesman, Andy David, dismissed the latest al-Qaida message and its attempt to connect Israel with attacks on the U.S:

“This is nothing new, he has said this before. Terrorists always look for absurd excuses for their despicable deeds.”

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Only Fools Rush In

24-Jan-10

Alright, alright…Calm down! What’s that, boy? Really? Hamas will recognize Israel? After the vast oceans of blood and tears? Why, that’s great, boy! What else boy? Hamas will nullify the charter that calls for the destruction of Israel? Good boy!

The word came from Aziz Dwaik, Hamas’s most senior representative in the West Bank. Go here to add him on your Facebook.

Well, slow down, let’s analyze things a little…

Dwaik’s remarks should be taken in the context of Hamas’s attempts to win recognition from the international community. He was released a few months ago after spending nearly three years in an Israeli prison.
He was among the dozens of Hamas officials who were rounded up by Israel after the abduction of Gilad Schalit near the Gaza Strip in June 2006.
Dwaik put it this way:

“The [Hamas] charter was drafted more than 20 years ago….no one wants to throw anyone into the sea.”

Well, habibi, thank you for clearing that up, ’cause, like, people were beginning to talk.
Dwaik also expressed Hamas’s desire to engage in a dialogue with the European Union. He also confirmed that Hamas was receiving financial aid from Iran. Good to know!

Some might consider Dwaik, as speaker of the PLC, to be the acting president of the Palestinian Authority, sin Mahmoud Abbasce’s term was officially expired on January 9.

These latest remarks were made during a meeting held in Hebron with British millionaire
David Martin Abrahams.

“The fact that there is a possibility for recognition of Israel is a symbolic gesture…We can all look for good in people and we can all look for bad in people. I always look for the good…People might say that I’m naïve, so let them. But I’m prepared to give them [Hamas] a chance because I’ve got faith and confidence in Dwaik and Haniyeh. We can’t allow 1.5 million to be festering in the Gaza Strip while the majority of them are good and well-educated.”

Abrahams said that his decision to engage Hamas was aimed at

“preventing bloodshed on both sides.”

“I recently published an article in the Jewish Chronicleto test the temperature of the water within the Jewish community about Hamas…I found a lot of support among Jews for dealing with Hamas and I was pleasantly surprised.”

Abrahams added,

“Hamas is different from al-Qaida…Hamas is no threat to Western interests.”

During the meeting in Hebron, Dwaik stressed that other Hamas leaders, including Damascus-based Khaled Mashaal and Gaza Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, have voiced their support of the idea of establishing an independent Palestinian state within the pre-1967 boundaries.

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The Tale of Aharon Lipner: The Un-Zionist

21-Jan-10

Turkey makes it clear that they are disturbed by Israel, but not THAT disturbed – that is to say, when it comes to the threat of losing money, their attitude changes, fast!
So amidst inter-government turmoil, Turkey is trying to draw in the ultra-Orthodox community.
The sad part is that the Israeli tourism industry is letting the ultra-Orthodox be exploited.
A delegation of haredi journalists will be traveling to Turkey next week, to visit Jewish attractions. The delegation will ride courtesy of the Turkish Tourism Ministry. The brains behind the idea belong to one Aharon Lipner, owner of Club Kosher, a haredi tourism company.
While the haredi journalists are there, among other cool things to look at, they will find a brand new glatt kosher restaurant – Turkey’s first in the resort town of Antalya. The restaurant will be called the King David, with kashrut under the supervision of Rabbi Moshe Nahshoni – and the restaurant manager, none other than Lipner. The opening of the restaurant is the initiative of another Israeli tourism company, Eshet Tours.
So, why might we be angry?
These guys are totally disrespecting an unofficial Israeli tourism embargo on Turkey.
First Israel gets cut out of aviation training activities by Turkey – with complete disregard for all of the favors that the IAF has done in training the Turkish air force.
Then, if that didn’t leave you offended – your blood began to boil when Turkey for the second year in-a-row, aired the second television program, which slanders Israel and Israelis.

In 2009, Israeli tourism to Turkey plunged 44%.

Well…good.
Lipner said:

“The idea is to clear the slate in the hearts of Israelis… Turks will continue to accept the Jews very respectfully. They have great confidence in the religious and haredi sectors, so they decided to finance the delegation.”

In other words, as long as my company makes money, so can an Israeli-bashing Turkey!
No they’re not as bad as some countries, but shouldn’t we make an example? We will not stand aloof while you spread lies about us!
Efraim Kramer, CEO of Eshet Tours, says that
the religious sector is a major “player” in the tourism industry, and

“designing special resort packages to suit the needs of this sector will constitute a completing product for public of conservative, institutional and young customers of Eshet Tours as well.”

Filed in Arab World, Daily Israeli, Jewish Life
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